2019 Chancellor William C. Graham Awards

Ten Members of the Trinity Community Receive the Inaugural 2019 Chancellor William C. Graham Awards

Caring, committed, supportive, inspirational – these are just a few words to describe the 10 outstanding recipients of the inaugural Chancellor William C. Graham Awards. The new Trinity College awards recognize members of the Trinity community – students, staff, faculty and alumni – who lead by positive example and inspire others.

The recipients of the 2019 Chancellor William C. Graham Awards were announced at the Fall Meeting of Corporation on October 24. Please join the Trinity community in congratulating the 2019 award winners.

At the Corporation luncheon, Chancellor Bill Graham gave a toast in honour of the award winners. “It is wonderful to learn more about these remarkable individuals and the various ways they contribute their time and energy to make Trinity a better place,” Chancellor Graham said. “Trinity is such an incredible community and I am so touched that the College has named these awards in my honour.”

Earlier this year, at the 80th birthday celebrations for Chancellor Graham, Provost Mayo Moran announced the new awards in honour of Chancellor Graham’s generosity of spirit and leadership, and immeasurable contributions to the Trinity community. “Chancellor Bill Graham exemplifies the enduring values of our founder, Bishop Strachan. In everything he does, he makes the Trinity community better. He is extraordinarily generous in every way and a true inspiration to all of us at Trinity and beyond,” Provost Moran said. “The Chancellor William C. Graham Awards honour his legacy by recognizing Trinity students, staff, faculty and alumni who help make the College a more welcoming and positive place.”

The Chancellor William C. Graham Awards will be given out annually to current students, administrative and service staff, academic staff, and alumni. Recipients are selected based on a demonstrated commitment to improving the spirit of caring and fostering a positive environment in the Trinity community.

The brief description of each of the 2019 recipients will certainly not capture all they contribute to the College, but will give you a snapshot of their impact.

Allison MacDonald: Manager of Residence Operations/Assistant Registrar, Student Services Centre

At a time of great positive change in Student Services, Allison has provided critical support to Trinity’s students as their Academic Advisor. She is now helping to make students’ residence experience better as Manager of Residence Operations. Allison has a caring, calm, empathetic and supportive approach. One of our students put it best: “I went to Allison for support at a very difficult time in my life, she helped lift me up and impacted me more that she knows.”

Christine Sutcliffe: Student

Christine, currently one of Trinity’s Heads of College, is a transformative student leader. Last year she worked on the Community Affairs Committee, and took on the prominent leadership role as Co-Chair of the 2018 Saints Committee – the largest Saints event in the College’s memory. As a member of the Architect Selection Committee for Trinity’s proposed new building, she has contributed a significant amount of time to help the College plan for the future.

Coreen Lowe: Service Worker, Facilities Services

Coreen works primarily in the student residences. She knows all of the students in her area by name, and they of course know her! She connects with them on a personal level, gets to know them, cares deeply about their well-being and always makes sure they are connected to appropriate resources when they need assistance. She does everything she can to make students feel that Trinity truly is their home away from home.

Jill Carmichael Adolphe: Alumna, Class of 8T5

Jill has made significant contributions to the College as a volunteer. She serves on the Board of Trustees, is Chair of the Development Committee and was recently named as a member of the Living Trinity Campaign Cabinet. Jill’s been asked to volunteer her time as a guest speaker at student events, and always gladly accepts.

Joy Fitzgibbon: Fellow of the College, Associate Director of the Margaret MacMillan Trinity One Program, Acting Director of the Margaret MacMillan Trinity One Program (Fall 2019)

In addition to her teaching work in the Trinity One program, Joy contributes to the work of the Community Affairs Committee in its very important policy work, mentors our student leaders, and more than happily volunteers her time and talent to a number of student-focussed events. She is also the Chair of the SCR where she brings her inclusive and welcoming approach to that community.

Marvin Chen: Systems Administrator, Information & Technology Services

Marvin is not your typical IT person. Marvin is collegial, calm and understanding in his approach and always takes the time to explain fully what is causing your computer issue and what your options are. This past year he was integral in providing technical advice, support and planning for key projects like the Student Services Centre.

Meredith Meads: Director, Development

In addition to her role within the Office of Development & Alumni Affairs, Meredith still found time to sit on the College’s Senate and to chair the Community Affairs Committee. That committee last year took on significant policy work, including the College’s Alcohol Policy and Community Standards. Meredith helped shape and guide some very engaging community discussions that have made Trinity a better place.

Nathan Postma: Alumnus, Class of 1T8

Nathan has been instrumental in helping make Trinity a more sustainable and inclusive environment. Through his work on the Trinity Rooftop Garden project and his promotion of student engagement, education and healthier eating at the College, he has helped lay the groundwork for many of the discussions we are now having around sustainability and our new building, and for plans to integrate urban agriculture and sustainability into our curriculum, particularly in the Margaret MacMillan Trinity One Program.

Sebastian Warma: Student

Sebastian, who this year is one of Trinity’s Community Advisors, is a community builder, and he wants every single Trinity student to feel a close sense of connection to the College. Last year, he was central in helping to build community in his residence area, along with helping to proactively manage community-based issues. Sebastian made residence a better place for the students within his community and he brings this experience to his Community Advisor role.

Stephen Scharper: Fellow of the College, Instructor in the Margaret MacMillan Trinity One Program, graduate appointments with the Centre for Ethics, and the Toronto School of Theology

Stephen demonstrates an openness and supportive approach to teaching and mentoring students in Trinity One and throughout the College. He offers his time to supervise independent research, attends student events and is an extremely positive presence in and around the College. As Vice-Chair of the SCR, he has contributed significantly to projects aimed at connecting the SCR community with our students, including planning for an event later this academic year with the Gryphon Trio.

Categories: Alumni; Awards & Honours; College News; Faculty & Staff; Student News